Spradlin moves from UK to Morehead’s basketball staff

Preston Spradlin, a five-year member of the University of Kentucky’s basketball staff, has moved on to become an assistant coach at Morehead State, his new school announced Monday.

At UK, Spradlin was a graduate assistant from 2009-2011 and assistant director of basketball operations from 2011-2014. At Morehead, he’ll focus on recruiting, scouting, practice/game preparation and monitoring academics.

“This was an easy and difficult decision at the same time,” Spradlin said in a news release. “It was easy because I'm ready to be an assistant coach who can recruit and instruct on the floor, but difficult because we've had so much success at Kentucky.”

Spradlin is a Pikeville, Ky., native who graduated from Betsy Lane High School and attended Alice Lloyd College, where he played for the NAIA Eagles from 2005-2009.

Morehead State coach Sean Woods called him “an up-and-comer with a bright basketball mind” who also worked with the Dominican Republic’s National Team that, coached by UK’s John Calipari, came within a game of qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

Additionally, Spradlin directed Calipari’s camps and clinics from 2012-2014, and he coordinated the UK basketball “fantasy experience” where fans can live the life of a Wildcats player each summer.

“I couldn't be more proud of Preston or happier for his family,” Calipari said. “This is exactly what I hope our program is about: creating opportunities for young people. This is Preston's first step in a long and successful coaching career. We wish him nothing but the best at Morehead State.”

Jonathan Lintner can be reached at (502) 582-4199; follow him on Twitter @JonathanLintner.